American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) announced today that Rockstar
Energy Drink and Makita USA will share title sponsorship of Suzuki’s
championship-winning factory-supported race efforts for AMA road racing,
AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross. This multi-year, multi-sponsor
relationship kicks off with the season-opening round of AMA Supercross
at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Suzuki,” said Mel Harris, ASMC
vice president of the Motorcycle/ATV Division. “We are very
excited to be working with Rockstar Energy Drink and thrilled that we
can continue to move forward with Makita USA. By branding all of
Suzuki’s factory race teams with two such extraordinary sponsors, we
are creating a more unified image that will benefit the teams, the
sponsors and Suzuki overall. We at Suzuki look forward to a long
and mutually beneficial relationship with both Rockstar and Makita.”
Added Rockstar Energy Drink Marketing Director Mike Kelso, “Rockstar
Energy Drink is excited about our newly formed partnership with Makita
to join forces with Suzuki for the AMA Supercross, Motocross and road
racing series. We at Rockstar look forward to being a full factory
effort in the 2008 race season. In AMA Supercross and Motocross,
we are excited to work with the legendary Roger DeCoster, as well as
returning Rockstar athletes Michael Byrne, Nico Izzi and Ryan Dungey,
not to mention the newly signed Mike Alessi and David Vuillemin.
In AMA road racing, we are eager to forge a relationship with Yoshimura,
as well as the two best Superbike riders in the country –
Ben Spies and Mat Mladin – along with the very talented Tommy
Hayden.”
Summed up Makita Vice President of Marketing Ken Hefley, “Our
Supercross and Motocross partnership with Suzuki resulted in five
championships, and placed Makita in front of the high-energy racing
audience. In 2008, we’re expanding our relationship by adding the
top-ranked Suzuki road racing team, and we’re joining forces with
Rockstar, a leading brand name in energy drinks. We look forward
to an exciting year for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team.”
In road racing, the Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Race Team
will again field the championship-winning 2007 team. Ben Spies, two-time
AMA Superbike Champion and 2007 AMA Superstock Champion, will only race
AMA Superbike in 2008. Mat Mladin, the only six-time AMA Superbike
Champion, will also focus his efforts on AMA Superbike and has recently
re-signed with Suzuki for 2009. Tommy Hayden, two-time AMA Supersport
Champion, rounds out the impressive team line-up. Spies, Mladin
and Hayden will race Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes in the premier class,
and Hayden will also race the Suzuki GSX-R600 in the AMA Supersport
class.
In AMA Supercross/AMA Motocross, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race
Team will consist of newly signed Mike Alessi, veteran rider David
Vuillemin and Michael Byrne on the Suzuki RM-Z450 in the premier
classes, while amateur phenom Nico Izzi and 2007 Rookie of the Year Ryan
Dungey will race the Suzuki RM-Z250 in the Lites classes. Izzi is
slated to race the East Coast rounds in AMA Supercross, while Dungey
will race the West Coast rounds.
For more information on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team,
log onto www.teamsuzuki.com.